If ever there was a Champions League final that really mattered it has to be the next up, overly-expensive, Wembley extravaganza. To say that it matters most to Chelsea would be to display the sort of partiality normally associated with Scouse delusions over grandeur past, but, for those of us firmly fixed in the present and looking forward to a future supporting a club that can hold on to its best players, this year’s CL success is crucial on every imaginable level. Ancelotti was originally brought in to win it, players of a certain age pray for it and Roman, according to every newspaper in the country, demands it. Indeed, our current league position adds additional spice to a pot boiling over with potential managerial outcomes, all of them appearing to affect Chelsea in one way or another, and now appears as good a time as any to anticipate the first-past-the-posters by reference to a winners enclosure where the form horses are easy to spot, but most may never go the distance….

Of course these days, when it comes to form horses on a football field, nobody looks further than a jockeying Jose Mourhino, for whatever stable he rides, and a CL victory for Real Madrid would place him where he wants to be - in a class apart. Some would say that he is there already and who can predict where his future would lie given his undisclosed love of English football. After a threefold success and seemingly winning it all, perhaps winning over of the hearts [even minds] of a vast swathe of Chelsea fans might prove to be a big enough tug on his heartstrings again. Naturally, for this to manifest into a return to us it needs Roman to swallow some pride, but an olive branch approach would stand him in good stead and it’s not as if they parted on bad terms before, far from it by all accounts.

That said, according to popular belief [almost demand] amongst Fleet Street’s finest, such a happy-clappy Chels-biased scenario would also require a singular lack of interest to be shown by the powerbrokers at Old Trafford. The hacks are convinced that Fergie need only raise a finger and point it towards the nearest Glaswegian Rest Home for Jose to come running and, with the Premiership all but in his pocket for the umpteenth time, there might also be a gentle, if somewhat urgent, boardroom nudge from behind the old boy if there were signs that the Special One was Bridge-bound once again. With this in mind, the possibility of United winning another CL trophy takes on increased significance, as such a season [especially with such a team] would almost certainly lead to a bowing out at an all too obvious top of the tree. Could we bear it, just to see the back of him and his undeniably insidious power on the domestic front?

I know I could, primarily because of a conviction that his lengthy tenure has flourished in an atmosphere of fear on the pitch and influential favour off it, so reminiscent of a nasty dictatorship, and without him the United edifice surely crumbles. In addition, I don’t buy into all this Media obsession with Mourinho’s awesome respect for the knight and his fervent desire to take over at United. The first part may have an element of truth in it, but to suggest that Jose is dreaming of a future working relationship with the Glazers, plus accompanying financial restraints, is stretching the imagination a little too far. He has doubtless already had a cursory glance at ManU’s current squad, quickly sussed out that Jack Rodwell is the only likely target this summer, and therefore an early decision to head for more lucrative pastures new is an easy one for him to make. And in any event, there are other reasons for putting up with the hours of Sky idolatry that’s bound to follow any retirement…

Unpleasant though it is, we must also consider the possibility of a resurgent Arsenal actually winning a trophy [other than the there-for-the-taking Carling Cup] or, perish the thought, Spurs defying their own laws of [even longer term] depravity. Hands up all those fans cringing at the thought of a simpering, smug Frenchman orchestrating the new dawn of Arse-branded tippy-tappy football, one in which Barca play second fiddle and the rest are regarded as bassoons. Or maybe we are destined, God forbid, to see ’Arry achieve CL immortality as a prelude to being placed high on a symbolic throne of pie and mash, serenaded by sycophantic journalists singing ’Hold it, flash-bang wallop what a picture!’ and all this occurring en route to Soho and his inevitable FA coronation. Either way, I think you’ll agree, there is no denying the preference for Red Devil success over both nightmare scenarios.

And then there is Chelsea. Out of sorts, out of luck and hesitating to believe that it was truly wonderful, wonderful, Copenhagen last night. To all intents and purposes Carlo must deliver the trophy to keep his job, but it doesn’t take a mastermind to realise, even though the Champions League was his chosen specialist subject, that he is currently presiding over a team with precious few recent Premiership points, no passes and even now there are still doubts remaining over his own general [tactical] knowledge. We can only pray that it all comes together in the next few months and if that transformation takes place we might also strike lucky by avoiding Barca until we meet in a Wembley final. Win or lose, that’s the best we can hope for. As for the alternatives, well, take your pick.

Anyone but another english side or Barca.

When you get down to the last 8 in Europe you cannot expect to get an easy draw, Barca, Lyon, Real, Spuds, Manyoo, Ars, Marseille, Inter, Donetsk, Valencia, Roma, they are all tough games.

And anyway a 0-3 defeat to Copenhagen in the 2nd leg and it wont matter who we get next, remember we have already lost 0-3 at home this season, not that I'm expecting that to happen, but we will have to be at our best from here on in to win it, no matter who we get.

That made me laugh Dorest thanks

I am certainly not expecting Champions League success this year, I would love it, but my mind won't let me stretch that far. I am with Coco... let's see if we can get past the Danes first, you never know UEFA might put a fly in the ointment if we start doing too well

What it means for Carlo another story....Personally would prefer no tophy for a few years and chose a manager and stick with them ... realms of fantasy I know

Like Dorset clearly states, the best we can hope for is to avoid Barca until the final (presuming they turn things around Vs Arsenal).

Truth be told, I can't see us getting past the semi's again this season at best.

If Luiz was available I would be alot more confident.

Next year will be interesting as if we stick with the main core of quality players that we have, and add a classy young playmaker into the fold (perhaps too soon for Josh?) then for the first time in recent years I believe we will have the squad to potentially go all the way.

If we do finish off the danes (should) every match including the final will be tough, We still need to improve on last nights display to beat whoever is left in the CL. I can't see us winning it this year i think its more important on making sure we are still in it next year by finishing in the top four and maintaining our position on the domestic front.

We'll go through to the last 8, where a favorable draw would be either Valencia/Shalke or Roma/Shakhtar but I have a feeling we'll get Madrid. If we are in any sort of form by then, I'm sure we can beat them, and Carlo can get one over Jose.

I have to agree that winning the whole thing is unlikely in which case anyone but the English teams and Barca is a sentiment that I can go with.

We'll go through to the last 8, where a favorable draw would be either Valencia/Shalke or Roma/Shakhtar but I have a feeling we'll get Madrid. If we are in any sort of form by then, I'm sure we can beat them, and Carlo can get one over Jose.

I have to agree that winning the whole thing is unlikely in which case anyone but the English teams and Barca is a sentiment that I can go with.

I would put good money on getting Madrid if both us and them get through, it happens all the time in cup comps that the draw brings up things like this.

I would put good money on getting Madrid if both us and them get through, it happens all the time in cup comps that the draw brings up things like this.

a little too often if u ask me, warm balls and all!

If we don't win it I want Real Madrid to win it as they've always sort of been my second team. I think the winner will be either Real or Barca to be honest.

Lesser team has won it in the past, there is no reason why we can't win it with a bit of luck and resurgence. We will get pass the Dane, I can't see us lost by 2 more or on penalty again at home. With a bit of luck in the draw, hopefully we will get the one out of Shakta vs Roma or Valenica vs Sshalke, very wiinnable opponent, AC Milan or Spurs wont be bad either. Once we are in the semi, who ever we will be playing will be tiring by then. In comparison, with the unfortunate exit from the FA cup, we only play 1 game a week, we may even afford to rest a few players if we get top 4 wrapped up by that stage. Final, anything can happen, one word - Istanbul. As I see it, the less we focused on the CL, the more likely we will win it.

Back to the op, a final between B Munich and Valencia will do me fine.

Curious factoid.

In 2006-2007 Carlo won the CL with Milan whilst finishing 4th in Serie A, 36 points off first place ..

He has done it before, lets hope he can again!

Thats the beauty of Cup compeitions/Playoffs.... doesnt matter who was best over the year. My hockey team was 16th out of the 16 teams who made the NHL playoffs in 04 and they went to game 7 of the final series (best of 7 series)........